Tacky "toe shoes," resembling a "foot condom," have resurfaced in fashion circles, with celebrities and style enthusiasts embracing the controversial footwear trend, eliciting laughter among onlookers.
In the ever-evolving world of fashion, it's not every day that a niche product from over a decade ago makes a significant comeback. However, this year has seen an unexpected resurgence of the Vibram FiveFingers shoe. Initially designed for barefoot running purists, the FiveFingers were intended to mimic the natural movement of the foot.
Originating from Italian sport and mountaineering brand Vibram in 2006, the Vibram FiveFingers shoe, a glove-like creation with individual slots for each toe, was once considered controversial and quickly became fashion's favorite punching bag. Critics described the shoes as "foot condoms" and "the most embarrassing footwear ever made," and they remained outside the style mainstream for many years.
However, fast forward to 2023, and the Vibram FiveFingers shoe has experienced a remarkable transformation. The resurgence of foot-forward fashion, driven by a combination of renewed fashion interest on social media platforms like TikTok and a broader cultural shift valuing comfort, novelty, and ironic anti-fashion statements, has propelled the shoes back into the limelight.
Searches for "barefoot toe shoes" on Depop have risen 205% this year, with demand for Vibrams specifically spiking by 296% since April. This resurgence frames the shoes as a unique and paradoxical fashion statement, moving beyond their original athletic and minimalist running niche to become trendy streetwear and even fashion icons (TikTok trends, Essence 2025-08-01; Standard 2025-08-01).
Their technical features—flexible soles with individual toe pockets offering natural foot articulation—have remained beneficial for specific athletic uses (gym, CrossFit, weightlifting), while the broader public embraces them for their distinct look and cultural cachet. Celebrities like BLACKPINK's Jennie Kim, model Paloma Elsesser, and rapper Doechii have been spotted wearing the once-ridiculed shoes.
Luxury brands such as Margiela Tabis, Balenciaga Crocs, and JNCO jeans are now selling the Vibram FiveFingers shoes, with enthusiasts arguing that they were ahead of their time and are finally having their moment. On TikTok, the Vibram FiveFingers shoes have become a viral phenomenon, with users like Georgia constantly having to explain her footwear, and @melinaft commenting that she finds the pink Vibram FiveFingers shoes to be "the mostttt cutie feminine shoe" but they are always sold out.
This summer, the Vibram FiveFingers shoes are selling out worldwide, gracing Vogue spreads, TikTok, and runways. British Vogue declared in 2023 that "toes are the new legs," indicating a broader cultural shift toward unconventional footwear. Despite some resistance, such as a commuter on the London Underground stating that wearing Vibram FiveFingers shoes on public transport is not acceptable, support for the shoes is growing.
Even fashion influencers like Abby Walker have expressed discomfort about the laughter they received when dancing in their Vibram FiveFingers shoes on TikTok. However, the resurgence of foot-forward fashion includes Maison Margiela's tabi boots and Nike's split-toe Air Rifts, suggesting that the trend is here to stay. Ballet flats and flip-flops have also walked into the fashion world as part of the broader "footnaissance."
In summary, the FiveFingers' popularity revival is primarily fashion-driven, fueled by social media, cultural trends valuing comfort and irony, and a new aesthetic appreciation rather than a return to their original utilitarian claims. The shoes, once considered a joke, have become a symbol of individuality and a testament to the power of fashion to transform perceptions.
Worldwide, the resurgence of the Vibram FiveFingers shoe has transformed it from a controversial fashion faux pas to an iconic statement piece. In the realm of lifestyle and fashion-and-beauty, the shoes have gained traction on social media platforms like TikTok, embodying a unique blend of comfort, novelty, and ironic anti-fashion statements.
